European Mental Health Week 2025
Pēdējās atjaunināšanas datums otrdiena, 20/05/2025
This week is European Mental Health Week (19-25 May 2025) so let’s look at what the European Union is doing for young people and their mental health!
This year, European Mental Health Week is focusing on the links between mental health and social policies. Encouraging policy makers to think bigger than the biomedical narrative which focuses on the individual and illness.
There is a need for a shift towards tackling the root causes of poor mental health which can affect any person at any time. We know that young people have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also know the dangers of over exposure to screens, social media and cyber-bullying. Everyone from policymakers, educators, parents, youth organisations, young people themselves has a role to play in addressing this shift in mindset.
The EU has been working hard to address these challenges and is including young people’s health and wellbeing in its policies and programmes in many ways. For example, to support policymakers and educators, the EU has issued guidelines on promoting wellbeing and mental health at school and specific tools like the self-assessment tool for inclusion and wellbeing.
How do EU Youth programmes help young people’s mental wellbeing?
Erasmus+ aims at boosting inclusion and diversity in education and thanks to education, this includes special attention to well-being and mental health.
Erasmus+ youth projects also contribute to increasing awareness of mental health issues among young people, educators and youth workers. The aim is to raise awareness, develop mental health literacy and equip youth workers with the skills to support young people in a changing world.
The European Solidarity Corps also includes health and wellbeing among its priorities. “Volunteering teams in High Priority Areas” mobilized volunteering teams of young people on the topic, especially during and after the period of COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Promotion of healthy lifestyles and mental health’ is now included as a special interest area across the European Solidarity Corps programme, aiming to support activities related to prevention, promotion and support in the field of health, especially regarding mental health.
Solidarity Projects, which are initiated and led by young people, often touch up the topic of youth mental health.
DiscoverEU offers 18-year-olds the opportunity to travel across Europe by train. One of the DiscoverEU Routes is dedicated to Health and Wellbeing, the FeelGood Route, invites young travellers to explore the best places for practicing all kinds of sports, discover local culture, healthy eating, cycling and much more.
Related links:
Better together: Co-creating the future of mental health - European Commission
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people
How to handle your mental health when going abroad | European Youth Portal